A Winter Walk Along the Beach at Carlyon Bay

I needed a walk by the sea, so we headed along to Carlyon Bay. Not a favourite beach but it is one with a lot of elbow room. This is important in these strange times of the coronavirus.

We drove to the beach car park and, unfortunately, a few other other people had also decided to sample the delights of Carlyon Bay. Okay, perhaps saying delights is a bit over the top, as there are far better beaches.

If you should visit this beach watch out in the car park (free in the winter) as there are some nasty potholes, especially near the entrance.

From the car park we strolled down the steepish hill and alongside the crumbly cliffs.

We walked the full length of the beach. At the far end it's possible to climb up the cliffs to reach the coastal footpath.

I always like looking at rocks and cliffs seeing the patterns and any creatures hiding away.

Looking back across the beach, all was a little hazy, but can look lovely on a Spring day.

On our return walk, looking inland, there were a few trees.

Ah yes, we then arrived where the beach isn't quite as good as it should be. Back in 2003 it was planned that Carlyon Bay would have a multi million development with housing, shops, restaurants and so on. 

Unfortunately there were planning problems. To quote the developers. "The scheme was commenced in 2003 and was partially built out, before being halted by planning difficulties. After a Public Inquiry, a new scheme was designed for which consent was granted in 2011".

But this hasn't come to fruition, very little appears to have happened. This means that much of Carlyon Bay doesn't look as good as it should. Sad to see.

It's still quite pleasant though, to walk along the beach while looking out to sea.

We returned to the car park full of fresh air, despite some of my comments.

The beach can get busy in the summer season, see my post Carlyon Bay, Cornwall in the Sunshine.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

The Stone Inscription, King Arthur and Tintagel Castle

I photographed the above stone / slate quite a few years back. Some say that this has connections with the legendary King Arthur.

In the late 1990s archaeologists discovered pottery from the 5th and 6th centuries on the eastern side of Tintagel Castle, Cornwall. They also found the slate / stone as in the photo above. It was covering a 6th century drain.

On the slate is the rough inscription:

PATERN COLIAVFIT ARTOGNOV

It appears that someone called Artognov wanted people to know that he had made or built something at Tintagel Castle.

Professor Charles Thomas of Exeter University translated the inscription as, "Artognou, father of a descendant of Coll, has had this built"

This got many jumping to conclusions that Artognov was actually King Arthur, who is said, by some, to have been born in Tintagel Castle. See my post A Flavour of Tintagel Castle and the Story of King Arthur.

The date of the slate, 6th Century, ties in with the time King Arthur is said to have been born.

Unfortunately it is now generally accepted that the stone does not have any connection with King Arthur ... but experts aren't always right!

Part of Tintagel Castle

The Fin Whale Stranded on the Cornish Beach

As with all of the English population we are under lockdown because of this awful Covid-19 virus. We have to stay indoors, other than for exercise and essential trips. So, for a while, some of the photos will have to be mainly from the past.

I'm starting off with a sad story from my archives - and an evening I will never forget.

I had just been told that I had kidney cancer and would have to have my right kidney removed. I'll add straight away that I am now okay and was given the all clear a while back.

Anyway, back to that night. I wanted to have a walk on my own to get my head straight about the forthcoming surgery. I headed for the long beach at Carlyon Bay.

On the beach I saw immediately that a whale had been beached with nasty wounds to its head. 

A Coastguard Rescue man soon arrived at the scene.

Looking at the whale it was obviously in trouble as it lashed out on the shore. So very sad. 

Somehow the local radio got hold of the story and soon scores of sightseers were on the beach.

The fin whale was about 65ft long.  I've read since, that fin whales are the second largest animal on the planet and are an endangered species.

Police and maritime experts arrived, but were unable to help the whale.

 

A plan was made to float the whale out to sea but this turned out to be impossible.

I stayed for several hours hours willing the whale to somehow survive.  The weather turned for the worse and the rain poured down, almost as tears for this wonderful creature struggling for life.

When I eventually left it was quite dark. Sadly the whale died during the night. 

It is thought that a boat must have injured the whale.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I'll try and make future posts a little more cheerful!

See also:

The Meeting With Barrel Jellyfish at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall

The Cornish Beach and Treasures While on Covid Lockdown

Oh dear, here we are again under lockdown regulations because of the Covid virus. In England we have to stay home - other than for essential food gathering and limited exercise.

Anyway, these photos were taken just prior to the lockdown. We were walking along the coastal path and made a diversion on to a small beach.

Strange, as when we touched the cliffs, the sun popped out to say hello and the world looked a happier place.

The sea was a pleasant shade of blue-green

All was peaceful, with nobody else to be seen.

The sky darkened a little as we reached a bank of pebbles and stones.

We couldn't resist searching for some treasure to take home.

And below, some of our treasure. Okay, nothing too dramatic but ...

... our kitchen creatures seemed happy enough with our bounty.

The next day was full on lockdown, so we went for a walk from home. Nothing too exciting but there is always something to appreciate.

A train trundled by as we peeked over the bridge.

That's all for today. Stay safe.

It's All White During a Day in Cornwall

It had been raining and the Gover Stream was  busy bubbling along, the water having a white glow.

Alongside the stream the trees were often covered in moss and created an almost magical scene.

Further on I followed the White River, as it passed by the Trenance Viaduct. The heavy rain made the river move along at speed. As I have mentioned previously the whiteness is from local china clay deposits.

The white of the river contrasted with the green leaves and moss.

It wasn't only the river that was white. I met this cat who seemed to want to play. I couldn't resist.

For a while we got on well, but cats are independent creatures and my playfulness tired him after a while. 

I remembered another white cat I once met on a walk, who had the most beautiful blue eyes.

There's a lot of white about. The seagull, with it's white chest and head, looked very smart as it ambled by a flower display.

And then I spotted the damp white flowers who didn't seem to mind the winter rain.

A wild hydrangea was mostly white and looked quite Spring like despite the winter chill.

As the hours swept by it got quite dark. The Gover Stream looked quite mysterious, so time to hurry home. Who knows who or what could be lurking in the darkness.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Also see 33 Photos: A Circular Walk Based On Gover Valley, St.Austell, Cornwall

The Pentewan Trail, Cornwall

We had a walk, or maybe it was more of a stroll, along the Pentewan Valley Trail.

It was a little damp under foot but all was very pleasant. We walked alongside the small river heading towards Pentewan harbour and village.

Part of the walk is a path through a wood, very attractive with the fallen leaves underfoot.

It had been raining a heck of a lot, so much water either side of the path.

The trees and reflections made some confusing views.

The trail ended for us at Pentewan harbour. The photo below shows the sluice gate built in 1872. This  controlled the water used to flush out the harbour basin. 

A few more small trees and quite a lot of water.

And then we reached the now defunct harbour at Pentewan.

From here we retraced our steps alongside the river.

I guess we walked just under three miles. So nothing very strenuous, but it's always uplifting to get out in the fresh air and amongst the trees and nature.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

A couple of random Pentewan posts:

Pentewan Harbour, Beach and Village, Cornwall

Pentewan Beach Cornwall and Seeing What is Sometimes Missed in Life